Continuous trichome separation

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method used to isolate organic acid forms of cannabinoids from a source biomass. This includes the use of a continuous, flow driven, biomass agitation unit, referred to herein as the Continuous Trichome Separator (CTS) Unit. Biomass is fed into the CTS Unit, where trichomes are shaken off of the biomass, and a mixture of trichomes and fluid continue for further processing. The trichomes are melted and then separated using chromatographic separation techniques. Thereafter the organic acids are dehydrated and become isolate compounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for continuously separating a trichomes from a biomass comprising:
 a vessel funnel;   a vessel cylinder fixed atop the vessel funnel;   a nozzle pipe that rotatably rests within a nozzle pipe channel in a perimeter wall of the vessel cylinder;   a nozzle pipe anchor in junction with a nozzle pipe channel socket for securing a lower end of the nozzle pipe to the vessel cylinder; and   a plurality of nozzles aligned with each other vertically on a lower portion of the nozzle pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a shaft gear located on an upper portion of the nozzle pipe; and 
 a motor that rotates the shaft gear. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a screen located horizontally below the vessel cylinder and above the vessel funnel. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a nozzle pipe orifice located at the top of the nozzle pipe; 
 a vessel main orifice located at the top of the vessel cylinder; 
 a vessel funnel orifice located at the bottom of the vessel funnel; 
 a vessel backwash orifice located on a top side of the vessel cylinder; and 
 a backwash pipe extending laterally from the vessel backwash orifice.